John William Carey

John was born on July 16th, 1946, in Enid, Oklahoma, to the late Melvin and Dorothy Carey. From his early years, he was a man of service, always prioritizing the needs of others above his own, and a man of family, cherishing the bonds and memories he created with his loved ones.

In his youth, John answered the call to serve his country and enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 8th, 1965. He served with distinction as a 6361 Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic. His commitment to the nation did not wane as he transferred to the Marine Reserves on January 10th, 1969, continuing his service in a different capacity.

On August 10th, 1968, John embarked on a new journey when he married the love of his life, Ernestine S. Herrera. Together, they built a loving home and raised six wonderful children: Michelle, Kimberly, John, Danny, Nicholas, and Jordan.

John's professional life was dedicated to Chromalloy, where he worked in shipping and receiving from 1969 until his retirement in 2013. Concurrently, he also served in the Air Force Reserves, retiring in 2006 after years of dedicated service.

John's interests were as diverse as they were passionate. He was an avid baseball/softball and golf enthusiast, a skilled woodworker, and a dedicated Special Olympics coach. His heart was as expansive as his interests. For 28 years, John was a foster parent, opening his home and heart to over 500 children, and adopting three.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Ernestine; his siblings, Larry, Pam, Steven, and Jeanie; his children, Michelle, Kimberly, John, Danny, Nicholas, and Jordan; his grandchildren, Dustin, Marissa, Michael, Brianna, Dakoda, and Tucson; and his great-grandchildren, Kaylyn, Gabriel, Etzio, Nathan, and Allison.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Dorothy, and his brother, Don.

John's life was a living testament to the power of service, love, and dedication. His legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those he touched, both within his family and in the community. His absence will be deeply felt, but his spirit will forever be remembered.

A visitation for John will be held Monday, January 8, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, 8805 NE 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73141. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, January 9, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 8805 NE 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73141. A committal will occur Tuesday, January 9, 2024, from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, 1423 Cemetery Rd, Fort Gibson, OK 74434.